Vinyl pressings
by Eurythmics · 1987
Beethoven was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 11 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
DAT. II AIRunout Side A [hand-etched], variant 1
DAT-II-B-2 A MRunout Side B [hand-etched], variant 1
DAT-11-A2 AM ΛRunout Side A [hand-etched], variant 2
DAT-11-B-2 AM ΛRunout Side B [hand-etched], variant 2
DA 11 ∙ A2 AMHand Etched Runout, Side A, variant 1
DA∙11 B1 AMHand Etched Runout, Side B, variant 1
DA∙11 A1 AM ΛHand Etched Runout, Side A, variant 2
DA∙11 B1 AM ΛHand Etched Runout, Side B, variant 2
DA-11 A1
DA-11 B2
DAT 11 A1Side A runout
DAT 11 B2Side B runout
DA 11 • A2
DA • 11 B1
DA • 11 A1 AMSide A
DA • 11 B1 AMSide B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australasia | RCA Victor TDS 416First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | France | RCA PB 41571First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Greece | RCA 4102First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Ireland | RCA DA 11First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | RCA PB 41571 / RCA PB41571First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | RCA PB41571First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Italy | RCA PT41572First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | Italy | RCA PT41572 / RCA PT 41572First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Philippines | RCA Victor RCAEP-13522 (DAT 11)First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | South Africa | RCA RCAS 39 / RCA Victor RCAS 39First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | South Africa | RCA Victor RCAM 12039First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | RCA Victor PB 41571First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | RCA DAT 11 DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | RCA DA 11P (DA 11)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | RCA DAT 11First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
29 vinyl pressings of Beethoven are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Europe, Spain, Japan and more. One of them is RCA DAT 11, released October 12, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DAT 11, DA 11, DA 11P (DA 11), DAT 11 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DAT. II AI and DAT-II-B-2 A M. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
